OASC
(Ohio Association of Services for Children)
www.oascohio.org

As professionals working in the field of MRDD, we frequently turn to our state association when we need information or support.  However, the issues that we face while working for county board associations are not often within the realm of OSLHA. To that end, I would like to share with you some information about another organization that can be of help to you.  It is the Ohio Association of Services for Children.  The mission statement for this association is:  “To provide direction and seek to achieve the highest standards of performance on service delivery to children and their families who are recipients of Ohio’s MRDD Early Intervention, Pre-School and School Age services.” 

The OASC (another acronym, oh well) was formed in 2002 with the express purpose of bringing together administrators of MRDD children’s programs to learn from each other and also to provide leadership and representation on state committees that affect those services.  The vision for this association actually began, however in the year 2000 when Helen Willis (Miami County) communicated to Charlie Arndt (director of Ohio Association of Services to County Boards) that there was need for an association related to children’s issues.  In the fall of 2000 a session was held at the state association fall conference to discuss possible development of the OASC.  Several other meetings were held in an effort to garner support, until finally on April 15, 2005 the first Children’s Association meeting was held.  Susan Dlouhy who was the past Vice President and the current administrator for the Adult Services Association helped the newly formed OASC to develop by laws and procedures to get things started.  I was asked to join this board in May of 2005 as a regional representative for South Eastern Ohio.   Since its “birth” the OASC board has been working tirelessly to serve those receiving our services.  Some of the accomplishments include:

· A children’s track at the fall and spring Ohio Association of County Board Conferences (typically training and education for administrators)

· Training for direct service personnel at OASC conferences. Topics have included:

· March 2003:  Barb Hanft “Providing Early Intervention in Natural Environments”

· March 2003:  Denise Swan-Caruso “Strategies for School-Age Children with Autism”

· Fall 2003:  Patty Obrutz and Ann Anzalone “Active Learning”  Fall 2004:  Rick Solomon “The Play Project”

· Spring 2005: Infant/Toddler Mental Health Issues (various speakers)

· Spring 2006: Gerald Mahoney

· Testimony and Committee Representation

· EI rule committee

· EI certification/registration committee

· Strategic Planning Group

· School Readiness Solutions

· Writing Team for Infant Toddler Guidelines

· Behavior Support Conference Planning

· Foster Placement Committee

· Testimony on EI rule

· Testimony points on ODH policies

· Position paper on Day Hab (habilitation) to Superintendents’ Association

· Testimony to OSEP hearings 

The OASC is structured so that each member county has a voice and has opportunities to participate in regional meetings, statewide conferences, and training.  Each region has an assigned regional representative who must attend monthly board meetings in Columbus.   I invite you to check with your county board superintendent and ask if your county board is a member of OASC.  If not, I would encourage you to suggest participation in this very worth while association. Current issues being reviewed by the board include defining and determining the county board role in EI, PS, and SA service delivery. The county board role in HMG as determined via the ODH rule is also being reviewed and evaluated.  Speech/language pathologists, as well as OTs and PTs are impacted by the changes in the county board system.  The OASC is here to advocate for best practice and continuing services for children with developmental disabilities and their families. If you would like further information about the OASC, please contact me at goconnor@wcbdd.org  or contact OASC directly at 614-431-0616. 

Special thanks to Helen Willis for her research on the history of the organization that was used on this webpage.